ERIC Number: EJ1359302
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Sep
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-1533-242X
The Effectiveness of Extensive Reading (ER) on the Development of EFL Learners' Sight Vocabulary Size and Reading Fluency
Iwata, Akira
Reading Matrix: An International Online Journal, v22 n2 p74-91 Sep 2022
Few studies have examined the effects of extensive reading (ER) on foreign language learners' acquisition of sight vocabulary, especially for partially known high-frequency words and reading fluency development. This study compared groups of non-English-major Japanese university-level students engaged in ER with intensive reading (IR) for two semesters. There were two ER Groups--one that read over 50,000 words (n = 21) and one that read below 50,000 words (n = 26)--and one IR Group (n = 25). The participants spent almost the same time on their task and were exposed mainly to 1k- and 2k-level vocabulary. The results of the vocabulary level tests revealed that ER was more effective and efficient for developing sight vocabulary of partially known high-frequency words. Only the ER Groups significantly improved their reading rates, indicating that ER facilitated reading fluency better than IR; moreover, the more words they read, the greater their improvement. The pedagogical implication is that the adoption of ER in an EFL curriculum is a feasible option to facilitate vocabulary acquisition and reading fluency for communication purposes in the classroom.
Descriptors: Reading Assignments, Instructional Effectiveness, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Sight Vocabulary, Vocabulary Development, Reading Fluency, College Students, Foreign Countries, Reading Rate, Reading Materials
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Japan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A